COMPARE Master Programs Comparison: Which quant program to choose?

Very aware of it. I reached out to many Courant grads to see if they can review the program with us and share their experience.
No bite yet. It's a mystery why we got no review since 2014.
Same experience. I reached out to 10 diff alums on Linkedin, only one got back to me. This tells me that its alum network probably isn't that solid.
 
Very aware of it. I reached out to many Courant grads to see if they can review the program with us and share their experience.
No bite yet. It's a mystery why we got no review since 2014.
Just thinking Andy, we hardly get reviews on NY based programs esp compared to the frequency of reviews each year on UCB, Chicago, CMU (not really based in NY), UCLA, NCSU, GaTech...almost all the recent reviews we had from some Baruch guys came in around the same time (March and April). Asides that, the last time was I think 2016 or so.

Does this have anything to do with NY (probably folks are just busy interviewing, working hard), or probably many don't just see the reason to write epistles if they got the kind of jobs they wanted after graduation...or maybe my analysis is just wrong. Lol
 
@joe_boy
You are probably correct in your observation and analysis. Most people don't have any incentive to write a review if they get what they want. Only if you feel strongly about something, either negatively or otherwise. Working in finance is extremely stressful and busy so it's another major reason why people don't bother.
It's reasonable to assume that the wave of reviews are result of some programs' marketing push. At least, these programs have approached this in the right direction. Many programs don't bother with this at all.
People come to QuantNet to do their research on quant programs. Once they get into the program and start working, life got busy and priorities changed.
As you and I sit here, we have incentives to see more reviews but as you step on the side of the fence, things change, right?
 
@joe_boy
You are probably correct in your observation and analysis. Most people don't have any incentive to write a review if they get what they want. Only if you feel strongly about something, either negatively or otherwise. Working in finance is extremely stressful and busy so it's another major reason why people don't bother.
It's reasonable to assume that the wave of reviews are result of some programs' marketing push. At least, these programs have approached this in the right direction. Many programs don't bother with this at all.
People come to QuantNet to do their research on quant programs. Once they get into the program and start working, life got busy and priorities changed.
As you and I sit here, we have incentives to see more reviews but as you step on the side of the fence, things change, right?
Haha..Such is life..
 
@joe_boy
You are probably correct in your observation and analysis. Most people don't have any incentive to write a review if they get what they want. Only if you feel strongly about something, either negatively or otherwise. Working in finance is extremely stressful and busy so it's another major reason why people don't bother.
It's reasonable to assume that the wave of reviews are result of some programs' marketing push. At least, these programs have approached this in the right direction. Many programs don't bother with this at all.
People come to QuantNet to do their research on quant programs. Once they get into the program and start working, life got busy and priorities changed.
As you and I sit here, we have incentives to see more reviews but as you step on the side of the fence, things change, right?
To play the devil's advocate, UCB alums are generally fairly responsive, and committed to contributing to the program 3, 5, 10 years after graduation.
 
I am from Hong Kong and hope to get a job in quant field. Overseas is preferred. Second is Hong Kong.

I was so confused.

UCB: Linda's exit impacts the program so much. most of the current students are having a hard time getting placed (most of them on Linkedin are with Open to work tag).

No helpful for getting into a good Ph.D. program in the future
IC: Less job opportunities in the UK.
 
Did you get accepted into these 2 programs? Both are one year program which is very compressed for some people. The US job market is much larger than the UK but you would need a lot of help from a good career service.
If you are just looking into applying, you can apply to more programs to give you more options.
 
I was going to throw in a vote for UCB but now I'm really not sure.

Decide where you'd rather work, and choose there.
UCB MFE used to be known for its strong career services and placement. It seems to be an area of concern right now.
It's highly recommended that applicants do a thoroughly research on programs they want to apply to. Reputation and track records take years to build but harder to maintain at a high level.
If this is any indication, reviews from current graduates are invaluable in giving insights on how a program is actually performing.
 
Hi... The answer is straightforward if you decide on where you want to work. But I'd advise you check LinkedIn as well and do your research. People have a high propensity to give good reviews on the programs they are affiliated with...

Personally, I'd take Imperial cos I'm usually always thinking about the possibility of doing research or Ph.D. in adjacent fields in future..which you can do in future as a form of career break or maybe life happens and you are out of job...It is always a good thing to consider imo...I also really really love the MathFin curriculum. It's also cheaper and has a smaller class size. I wish I applied there this year..Would have had a hard time making a choice if I got accepted...My only problem is the program is too short (10 months I think) but UCB is just one year so not much of a difference between the two. Also, you don't make as much as you would in the US.
 
Joe
You brought up a good point. The UK programs are all one-year whereas most US programs are usually 3 semesters. A few can be stressed to 2 full years. There is a cost benefit to go to one year program and get a job quicker.
The bigger downside is that many people have said that one year is too short to fully absorb the materials while preparing for interviews. When the job market is tough, the longer programs give you more time stay in legal status and find jobs.
The US programs gear toward practical side and job market oriented. The UK programs may be more theoretical and better for people doing PhD.
 
Joe
You brought up a good point. The UK programs are all one-year whereas most US programs are usually 3 semesters. A few can be stressed to 2 full years. There is a cost benefit to go to one year program and get a job quicker.
The bigger downside is that many people have said that one year is too short to fully absorb the materials while preparing for interviews. When the job market is tough, the longer programs give you more time stay in legal status and find jobs.
The US programs gear toward practical side and job market oriented. The UK programs may be more theoretical and better for people doing PhD.
Yeah Andy.
It's as clear as it can get

Thank you for the exposition.
 
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